Sea and river transport provided the most effective means of travel for people and cargo along the South Coast of New South Wales up until the early 20th Century. At this time, roads were either non-existent or extremely poor in quality and vehicles were scarce. This meant that the only affordable and available means of commuting was either by horse or foot.

This shipbuilder's model of the TSS 'Monaro' is therefore representative of the type of vessel that provided a means for travel along the south coast of New South Wales from 1876-1879. The 'Monaro' plied the waters around Moruya, Ulladulla and Batemans Bay, carrying both non-refrigerated produce and passengers. The Illawarra Company was responsible for the Moruya trade up until 1890 when it became the exclusive property of the Moruya Company.

Models such as this one would have been made for shipbuilders to assist in their full-scale construction, helping to provide the builder with an idea of the vessel's fittings, riggings and sail plans, as well has helping to show the ratio of length to beam, the fining of her entry, stern and so on. This particular model also acts as a legacy of the full-scale version which no longer survives. The TSS 'Monaro' was wrecked at Binji Binji, New South Wales on May 29, 1879.

References
Parsons, R., "Steamships to the Illawarra" (Goolwa, 1991)

Source:

Powerhouse Museum